Katy Croff Bell

Sixty-six percent of our planet is covered by ocean deeper than 200 meters—the largest and most critical habitat on Earth. The deep sea is essential to life, providing over half the oxygen we breathe, feeding the upper ocean, and supporting 20% of humanity’s protein needs. It underpins a $1.5 trillion global ocean economy. Yet, this vast ecosystem remains virtually unexplored, even as human impacts grow. At current rates, it would take thousands of years to visualize the entire seafloor just once. Without urgent action to close the knowledge gap, we risk irreparably damaging this vital life-support system.

After decades of work in the deep ocean, I have seen first-hand the inefficiencies and inequities associated with deep-sea exploration and research. My work now focuses on revolutionizing deep-sea exploration by combining targeted strategies, lower-cost technology, and an expanded community of global ocean explorers. By reducing the technical and financial barriers, I aim to expand access to deep-sea exploration, involving communities historically excluded from this field. This inclusive approach accelerates the collection of baseline data needed to characterize and understand the deep ocean.

I hope to establish a comprehensive, representative visual sample of the deep seafloor and create a more inclusive exploration community enabled by low-cost, accessible technologies to generate the understanding necessary to guide wise deep-ocean stewardship.

Today, my mission is to catalyze a new wave of ocean exploration that embraces inclusivity, innovation, and accessibility. I focus on three interdependent strategies: strategically targeted exploration, developing low-cost and accessible exploration platforms and systems, and expanding global capacity through training and outreach. These strategies are all individually ambitious, but at their intersection, I see the potential to accelerate the pace of deep ocean exploration like never before.

Acceleration of ocean exploration is essential. We can’t afford to rely on the same methods we’ve always used. By making exploration more accessible, efficient, and inclusive, we can unlock discoveries at an unprecedented scale. Once the tangible benefits of such change are demonstrated, the broader community will embrace it, providing the support needed to sustain and amplify its impact. My work shows what is possible when exploration is redefined as a collective endeavor that breaks down barriers, embraces innovation, and opens the deep ocean to all who want to explore.